Hi Gropers,

With all the excitement of the World Masters swimming and water polo events, a report of the national titles is easily overlooked.

Way back on 20th March through to 24th March, Easter holidays, two intrepid travellers from Claremont Masters competed in the national titles at Melbourne’s MSAC (aquatic centre).

Melbourne put on glorious autumnal weather - not that the sun shines in on the pool deck, but Melbourne is always a great place to visit when the weather is good. The gardens and parks, the footy stadiums filled with roaring fans (go Geelong!), the shopping, the restaurants, the coffee, the trams … sigh, oh yeah the Nationals.
 
Malcolm, alias Sam McLennan and myself, “braved” beautiful Melbourne, being very fit and able with absolutely NO taper (sounds like Grant Hackett in the 10km swim) and did … very well (unlike Grant).

Sam had done a huge amount of training and was pumped to achieve. Incredibly (or not really because he’s so damn good), of the 12 events in which Sam competed he achieved PBs in 11 swims. He broke 4 state records, equalled not one but two others, took 17 seconds off his 200 fly, and 26 seconds off his 800 free times! Medal count was VERY shiny totaling three gold, 6 silver and one bronze.

Maybe Sam’s secret is his support crew: his wonderful wife Nat, 3 gorgeous daughters (Amy, Paige, Felicity) and his very proud Mum and Dad who have kept all Sam’s times and stats over the years!!! They sat and cheered through all his events (most of them) “GO DADDY”. Now THAT is support.

I was able to borrow this support team plus Michael and competed in 3 events, yeah very wimpy BUT there was just too many other things to do in Melbourne than swim!!

I achieved 2 silvers and one gold and the 100 free was a PB. So we were both very pleased with our swims and will have to wait until next year for the Easter bunny to visit!!

Happy Swimming,
Sally Stanford

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